Most pill reminder apps use some version of a free tier plus a paid upgrade, but it's not always obvious what actually changes when you pay. Here's a straightforward breakdown, using AmberCap's plans as the example, of what's free, what's not, and when upgrading is worth it.
Start free with one medication, no card required. Upgrade only once you actually need more than that.
Get AmberCap free →What's Actually Free
The free tier tracks one medication with the full reminder experience: alarm-volume alerts, snooze options, and automatic dose logging. There's no trial countdown attached to it, it stays free for as long as you're only managing one medication. For a lot of people, especially right after starting a new prescription, that's genuinely all they need.
What Premium Unlocks
Premium, currently $2.99 a month or $29.90 a year, removes the one-medication limit entirely, so any number of prescriptions, doses, and times can be tracked. It also adds automatic email alerts to a linked family member when a dose is missed, and email backups of full medication history, useful for keeping a record for a doctor's visit or simply not losing months of history if a phone is lost or replaced.
Free vs. Premium, Side by Side
- Medications tracked: one on Free, unlimited on Premium.
- Alarm-volume reminders: included on both tiers.
- Automatic dose history: included on both tiers.
- Family missed-dose alerts: Premium only.
- Email backups of history: Premium only.
- Cost: $0 on Free, $2.99/month or $29.90/year on Premium.
Who Should Stay Free, Who Should Upgrade
Someone managing a single medication with no family member asking to be looped in has little reason to pay, the free tier already covers the core job. The calculation changes once a second prescription is added, since that's the hard limit where Free stops being enough. It also changes if a family member's peace of mind is part of the goal even with just one medication, since missed-dose alerts are a Premium-only feature regardless of how many medications are being tracked.
How Billing and Cancellation Actually Work
Premium purchases are processed by Paddle, acting as merchant of record, which is why a receipt from Paddle rather than the app maker directly shows up after subscribing. That receipt email is also the fastest way to manage or cancel later. Cancelling stops future billing but doesn't cut off access immediately, Premium features stay active through the end of whatever period was already paid for, whether that's the rest of the month or the rest of the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the free version good enough for one medication?
Yes. The free tier tracks one medication with full reminders, no time limit and no trial that expires, so it's a genuinely usable option for someone only managing a single prescription.
Can I cancel Premium at any time?
Yes, and you keep Premium features until the end of the billing period you already paid for, whether you're on the monthly or yearly plan.
Who actually bills me for Premium?
Billing runs through Paddle, acting as merchant of record, which handles the payment and receipt rather than the app maker directly. Your receipt email is also the fastest way to manage or cancel the subscription.
Is there a free trial of Premium before paying?
There isn't a separate trial, but the free tier itself works as a real trial of the core reminder experience before deciding whether the extra medications and family alerts in Premium are worth it.
Does the yearly plan actually save money over monthly?
Yes. At $2.99 a month, a full year comes to $35.88 billed monthly, versus $29.90 billed yearly, a little over 15% less for committing to the year upfront.
What happens to my history and settings if I downgrade from Premium back to free?
Your data isn't deleted, but the free tier's one-medication limit applies going forward, so you'd need to choose which medication stays active. Downgrading is worth thinking through before doing it if more than one medication is currently being tracked.
See exactly which tier fits before you decide anything, starting free costs nothing.
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